Hundreds of Haredi anti-draft protesters block highways in central Israel

Haredi anti-draft protesters are blocking several highway intersections in central Israel, police say.

The demonstrators have blocked traffic in both directions on Route 2, near Netanya Junction, and Route 4, near Sharon Junction, according to law enforcement officials. No arrests have yet been made.

Reports say Highway 6 is also being blocked, adding that the demonstrators surprised police by declaring they would rally near the Beit Lid military prison but then showing up simultaneously at several other spots.

The protesters are affiliated with the Jerusalem Faction, a radical ultra-Orthodox group stringently opposed to IDF conscription.

Earlier this week, the Jerusalem Faction called on its adherents to take to the streets today as part of a “day of rage” in protest of the increasingly frequent arrests of Haredi draft evaders.